Dick Clark

THE DAY PAT BOONE WENT HEAVY METAL

We needed a laugh today, and came across this photo of Pat Boone and Alice Cooper onstage at the American Music Awards in 1997 on the website Dangerous Minds. That year, fanatical Christian musician Pat Boone, then 63, released an album of heavy metal covers and AMA producer Dick Clark came up with the idea of having Boone appear dressed up in leather with fake tattoos and piercings. Clark wanted to pair up Boone with Alice Cooper, and have Alice dress like a conservative businessman. At the last minute Alice backed out and dressed like himself, but Pat got a LOT of attention for his fun new “look.” The audience “went nuts” for Boone’s costume, but some Christians didn’t find it funny, and he lost his job hosting Trinity TV’s show Gospel America. Pat Boone was reportedly SHOCKED that his fellow Christians lacked a sense of humor about his stunt!

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DICK CLARK’S AMERICAN BANDSTAND GAVE US OUR FIRST LOOK AT ROCK N ROLL


Our fondest memories of the late Dick Clark were in glorious black and white. His American Bandstand, which was on TV after school every day, rocked everybody’s world. We all heard rock n’ roll on the radio but rarely got a chance to SEE the performers – from Fabian to Conway Twitty to Chubby Checker. (There was no MTV in those days) Clark was a huge influence in the world of rock n’ roll. We learned the latest dance moves watching his show and got ideas for haircuts and fashion. His original TV show from Philadelphia taught kids how to be teenagers. Thanks for the memories Dick Clark!

Update: Love this quote from from the Los Angeles Times: “Dick Clark chaperoned American youth on their first date with rock n roll.”

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